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Retired Ball State professor pleads guilty in molestation case

MUNCIE, Ind. -- A former Ball State professor pleaded guilty Monday in his case of child molestation.

Melvin Sharpe pleaded guilty to battery resulting in bodily injury, a Class D felony, according to the Delaware County court. In return, the court would waive the child molesting count.

The court has taken the plea under advisement.

Sharpe was accused of touching a 7-year-old child while they showered together at the former professor's house. Sharpe initially told police he had nothing to hide. He admitted to showering with the boy, but he said he was just trying to teach the child how to bathe, and the physical contact happened one time -- not repeatedly.